Has this ever happened to you? You start playing a game and your opponent explains something one way, then in the next match someone else explains the same thing differently, and in the third game you get yet another completely different explanation?
Line of sight is something that, when you read the rulebook, can be pretty confusing.
So let’s clear this up quickly, in just a couple of lines, so that players—especially those coming from a previous edition and wanting to get into Warhammer The Old World—have it crystal clear.
Drawing line of sight in Warhammer The Old World
Unlike other games, here there’s no issue when it comes to conversions or alternative miniatures, which in my opinion is a big advantage because it adds a lot of variety to armies.
Not like in Warhammer 40k, where they’re making it a lot stricter due to the fact that line of sight can be drawn to any point of the miniature. So if you’re using a smaller model, you gain an edge because you have less visible surface and can hide better behind cover.
And if you’re using a larger model than the official one, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage by taking more shots than you should.
In Warhammer The Old World, it doesn’t work like that. As soon as a straight line can be drawn between a point on my base and a point on yours, I can see you and you can see me BUT…
Line of sight angle in Warhammer The Old World
Of course, I can only see you if you’re within my vision arc.
Single infantry or cavalry models, as well as skirmisher units, have a 360-degree vision arc (also MONSTRUOUS infantry or cavalry, not like 6th edition here). However, units made up of more than one model have a 90-degree vision arc (close order or open order, doesn’t matter here).
This is the general rule in 90% of cases, but there are some exceptions and nuances, and that’s what adds tactical depth to the game.
How terrain affects line of sight
In this case, you need to know that you can’t see through impassable terrain, nor over it.
The other important exception is forests.
Forests. Not just any difficult terrain—only forests.
If a unit outside a forest wants to shoot at another unit on the other side of the forest, and neither of them is inside it, then it cannot shoot, because the forest blocks line of sight.
If you shoot through difficult terrain like ruins, you check what type of cover applies instead: light cover or heavy cover. If you’re not sure what I mean, I explain it in another post.
Can I charge any visible unit?
Can you charge everything you can see? No, because charge range and unit formation also come into play.
For example, if a unit is in march column, it cannot charge, unless it has special rules like Frenzy, which according to the FAQs allows it to charge even in that formation if it also has Drilled.
Everything I’ve said about forests has a lot of strategic value, especially when combined with units that have random movement.
And I explain that in another post that I’ll leave linked below.
Anyway, I hope this helps you.
And if you find these posts useful, I’d really appreciate it if you shared the blog around and helped spread it in your community. Thanks, and see you in the next one.
Is the Beastmen Primal Magic lore good? In-depth analysis – Warhammer The Old World
Scouts in The Old World | Best deployment ever?
Is Vanguard useful? Warhammer The Old World
Any error in the post, feel free to reach out at theoldwarrior@theoldwarrior.com.